A group of castoffs and journeyman. From closer Jeanmar Gomez to Andrew Bailey, the Phillies bullpen was expected by many, to easily be the worst in baseball an possibly one of the worst in history. Following an 0-4 start, this group seemed to be living up to that expectation, but as Matt Gelb shows us, there is no one way to build a successful bullpen.

J.P. Crawford is considered the future at shortstop for the Phillies, but who will be his double-play partner? Currently, Cesar Hernandez is holding down the position, but what about Freddy Galvis? Those are only two possibilities of many possibilities. The Good Phight's Matt Winkelman has a few names that you may not know that could join Crawford in the middle of the Phillies diamond for years to come.

When a team is rebuilding, as the Phillies are, a 32-year-old utility infielder rarely enters the train of thought of fans, media members or the organization's top brass. Andres Blanco is a very different story. His impact, not only on the field, but more importantly off, has made a huge difference on the entire roster and especially the young core of Latin American players. Matt Breen of Philly.com tells us more.

The monster haul for reliever Ken Giles seems to get better by the day. Meet Tom Eshelman, a 21-year old pitcher who doesn't possess the power of Vince Velasquez or the pure stuff of a Mark Appel, but this former College World Series star for Cal State Fullerton is thriving in his new organization and is quite happy with where he is.

The Phillies were criticized for many years for the lack of international talent in their system. Times have changed and Sam Donellon tells us why the recent infusion of Latin ballplayers is just what the Phillies needed.

In this week's edition of Phillies Must-Reads, Rule five selection Tyler Goeddel is making the most of a rare opportunity. Also, an update on Aaron Altherr is provided. Those stories and more in this week's feature.

The Phillies continue to be the biggest surprise in baseball, currently in a tie for first place in the NL East. Very few expect this pace to remain, but The Good Phight's Justin Klugh thinks the Phillies, as they are currently constructed, rate higher than 12 National League teams.

Most of the attention the Phillies have garnered over the past year came from their two biggest deals, with Texas for Cole Hamels and with Houston for Ken Giles. The results of Vince Velasquez and Jerad Eickhoff at the major league level and Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and Mark Appel can't be denied. But let's not forgot some of the under-the-radar deals such as the one with Cincinnati which sent OF Marlon Byrd (currently with his third team since the deal) for a young righty named Ben Lively. Lively is 4-0, with a 2.12 ERA at Double A Reading. Another impressive deal that may have show more immediate dividends is the deal that sent Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers for a 22-year old named Zach Elfin. Elfin is part of very talented group of starts currently at Triple A Lehigh Valley. Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice brings the attention to this acquisition that it rightfully deserves.

Joe Giglio of NJ.com takes a look at some of the outfielders that the Phillies could potentially target at this year's trade deadline, should they still be contending later this summer. Though names like Mike Trout are discussed in a more hypotehtical sense, names like Jay Bruce and Carlos Beltran could be more realistic if the Phillies choose to be buyers.

May 03, 2016

In this edition of Phillies must-reads, the Philadelphia Phillies hot start and organizational mindset are examined. Let's take a look at some of the best articles pertaining to the Phillies for this week.

The new, more analytical members of the Phillies organization are in a tug-of-war with the older, more instinctive Phillies. New 35-year old GM Matt Klentak is all about the percentages, tendencies, and charts, while veteran baseball men such as manager Pete Mackanin and bench coach Larry Bowa still use their respective guts as a big tool. Matt Gelb of Philly.com looks at how they balance the old and the new.

As strange is it may seem, the Phillies will likely seriously consider moving both Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz this summer. As with most young organizations, younger players set aside the old, even when the two players are arguably the best at their respective positions in franchise history. Jay Floyd of Phillies Nation takes a look at potential that the two get moved.

The Phillies feel very fortunate with the catching situation in their organization. It was only a few seasons ago when no one knew who would take reigns from Carlos Ruiz, who was clearly on the downside of his career. Tommy Joseph had just suffered yet another concussion and his days a catcher were over.

Fast forward to 2016, not only was Jorge Alfaro destroying Double A pitching before his recent oblique strain, but Andrew Knapp has followed up a .360, 11 HR half-season at Reading last year by getting on base at .400 clip in the early-going. Is a call-up in the near future for the former second-round pick? Matt Veasey of That Balls Outta Here has story.

Vince Velasquez was the most intriguing arm acquired in the deal that sent closer Ken Giles to Houston. Most scouts were unsure if he would hold up a starter or have to be moved the back-end of the bullpen at some point. Following his recent dominance of the San Diego Padres, Velasquez has put his name along side Roy Halladay and Kevin Millwood as one of the best beginnings ever to a Phillies career, with much more to come, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

April 17, 2016

Radio voice of the Phillies Scott Franzke chats with Phillies manager Pete Mackanin prior to the Futures Game in Reading (Philliedelphia/Frank Klose)

In this week's edition of Phillies must-reads, we get into the very personal side of players, executives, and broadcasters and show the even in baseball, real life comes into play and how we deal with them will shape the rest of their lives and the game itself.

No one will ever replace Harry Kalas and Whitey Asburn as Philadelphia's favorite broadcast tandem. But if in this age of MLB.TV and all of the digital avenues baseball purists take to get their games, a new generation of fans have their own poet laureates to call their own in Scott Franzke and Larry Anderson. Matt Gelb of Philly.com caught with the popular duo.

The selflessness of Matt Szczur goes well beyond charitable. All together now..."who?". Chicago Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur, who squeaked into the 25th and final roster spot on a loaded contending team this spring, could have been living this impossible dream five years ago, but he gave it all up for someone he didn't even know. Adam Nissen of sportsmockery.com chronicles this incredible journey.

Phillies president Andy MacPhail was a life-long baseball man. It was passed from his father to him and his grandfather to his father. But after nearly three decades in the family business, MacPhail stepped as far away from the game as he could. He traveled to the far ends of the earth only to return to greener pastures in Philadelphia doing what his family has done for generations. Matt Gelb has the story.

Long before they donned the Phillies red pinstripes, Freddy Galvis and Cesar Hernandez were boyhood teammates dreaming of one-day turning a double-play on a major league field. Entering their first full-season starting, it's unclear how much longer the duo will start together, with top prospect J.P. Crawford looming. Nonetheless, this story from Matt Breen is a tremendous read.

The Rule 5 draft has been good to the Phils in recent years, plucking Shane Victorino and Odubel Herrera from other organizations. This year, the team attempted to double their luck, taking reliever Daniel Stumpf from the Royals and the first-overall pick in the draft, outfielder Tyler Goeddel, from Tampa Bay. Philly.com's Matt Gelb looks at what impact they could have on this team for 2016 and beyond.

March 23, 2016

The days are quickly counting down to April 4th and the Phillies' roster is starting to take shape. In this week's installment of "Phillies must-reads", we discuss the depth, or lack-there-of, in the outfield, Ryan Howard, a perspective on Aaron Altherr's injury and more.

The Phillies said goodbye to their two young catchers, Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp, as well as first baseman Brock Stassi last week. Matt Gelb takes a look at who is left and predicts the final 25-man roster we will see in Cincinnati on April 4th.

Even with the team down two potential starting outfielders, Phillies' GM Matt Klentak says they will monitor the waiver wire for outfield help, but doesn't expect to add a big-name player to the outfield prior to the season.

March 14, 2016

We are less than a month from Opening Day and the Philadelphia Phillies still have many questions to be answered before the first-pitch in thrown in Cincinnati on April 4th. Will Rule 5 selection Tyler Goedell, who has never played at the big league level, thrive in what is likely to be extended playing time? Can Peter Bourjos find his 2011 stroke and adjust to a corner outfield position? How will the closer's role shake out? Those and many other topics are addressed in this week's installment of Phillies must-reads.

Although they were sent packing to minor-league camp, the Phillies' brass is very excited about the futures of Jake Thompson, Mark Appel, and Zach Eflin. Philly.com's Matt Gelb finds out just what they need to work on and how soon it will be before they return to the big club.

Calling Bobby LaFromboise a journeyman wouldn't do his numerous trips through other organizations justice. Still, the lefty reliever has been one of the most impressive arms in camp and per Philly.com's Matt Gelb, he has gotten the attention of skipper Pete Mackanin.

Pitching coach Bob McClure and Manager Pete Mackanin discuss the current state of the Phillies' pitching staff and their concerns with Philly Voice's Ryan Lawrence. The leading candidate for the closer's role, David Hernandez, hasn't thrown in a game since March 1st. Other bullpen candidates Frank Herman and Jimmy Cordero have been down all spring, and starter Jerad Eickhoff is still dealing with a fractured thumb.

All the attention in camp has been mainly on the young arms, but first-baseman Brock Stassi has created his own buzz in camp, not only with his bat, but has also with his exceptional defensive work. Philly.com's Mike Sielski breaks down Stassi's impressive spring.

Perhaps the most impressive arm this spring has been Vince Velasquez. The hard-throwing righty was the key piece in the Ken Giles trade to the Astros. Matt Gelb discusses how Velasquez's goal this spring was go deeper in the games and adding a sinker to his already nasty repertoire, should go a long way in helping him become a front of the line starter for the team.

March 07, 2016

So far this spring, you've heard much about all the new faces in camp. J.P. Crawford, Vincent Velasquez and Nick Williams have been among the most discussed players in Spring Training. But what about David Buchanan, Severino Gaonzalez and some of the lesser discussed players? In this installment of Phillies must-reads, the forgotten bunch of Phillies are given their time in the sun.

David Buchanan will attempt to put a horrifying 2015 behind in hopes of winning a spot this spring. He spoke to Philly Voice's Ryan Lawrence about a new way he prepared for the upcoming season, which included a mental coach and a specific book.

Phillies' pitching coach Bob McClure talked to Philly.com's Matt Gelb about how the team will manage some of their young starters' innings this season. McClure suggests that while he believes some of the team's younger starters could approach 200 innings, that's quite a risk for a team that won't be contending. Gelb notes that with the Phillies' increased starting pitching depth, potential innings limits could mean pieces like Severino Gonzalez could get some starts this season.

33-year old Jake Fox is the true definition of a journeyman. The veteran utility man talks with Phillies Nation's Jay Floyd about his many stops, including three with the Phillies' organization and his time in Korea last season.

Crossing Board's Kyle Scott looks at how some subtle changes by new GM Matt Klentak and President Andy McPhail have put the Phillies on the right track and the current rebuild may not take as long as expected.